FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 8, 2010 For more information:
Holly Shrewsbury
Rep. Scanlan

COLORADO
HOUSE MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS
STATE CAPITOL

Rep. Scanlan Ensures ALL Colorado Kids Experience Outdoors

(DENVER) – A bill that will help more kids take advantage of Colorado’s majestic outdoor spaces through environmental science education programs passed out of the House Education committee today 9-3.

Rep. Christine Scanlan’s “Colorado Kids Outdoors Program” legislation (HB 1131) creates programs that will educate all Colorado kids on environmental and outdoor issues by taking them outside to experience them first-hand. This environmental literacy program will make Colorado eligible for federal grant funds through the No Child Left Inside Act, and establishes a state grant program that will ensure students are given meaningful opportunity to experience the outdoors.

“We want all the kids of our state to enjoy the great beauty as well as the recreational and sporting opportunities that Colorado has to offer,” said Rep. Scanlan (D-Summit County). “Colorado kids will one day be the stewards of this beautiful state so it is important that every one of them be able to experience the majesty of Colorado.”

Residents from throughout the district testified at today’s hearing in favor of the bill, including Bob Hewson from Colorado Youth Outdoors, representatives from the Betty Ford Alpine Garden and Gore Range Science School, and Deborah Mitchell from Summit Cove Elementary School.

Rep. Scanlan continued: “The beauty that Colorado has to offer is one of the best gifts we can pass on to the next generation. It is important that we pass this gift along to all the kids of Colorado no matter what part of the state in which they reside. And we know that kids who have an opportunity to get outside—who can breathe fresh air and enjoy Colorado’s sunshine—will do better in the classroom.”

The program will be funded through gifts, grants and donations which will go to the Colorado Kids Outdoors Fund.

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About the Colorado General Assembly Majority Party
Thirty-seven Democrats comprise the majority of Colorado’s 65-member House of Representatives. Leadership for the 67th General Assembly includes Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll; Majority Leader Paul Weissmann; Speaker Pro Tempore Buffie McFadyen, Assistant Majority Leader Andy Kerr,
Caucus Chair Karen Middleton and Majority Whip Christine Scanlan.